May 20, 2026 | Waxahachie, TX — After a season filled with milestones, postseason appearances, and program-defining moments, the Nelson University Baseball team continued to earn recognition on the national stage as five Lions were named to the NCCAA Central Region All-Region Teams.
Nelson placed three players on the NCCAA Central Region First Team and two more on the Second Team following a historic campaign that saw the Lions secure the first NAIA National Tournament appearance in program history.
Leading the way on the First Team were shortstop Odnal Rivera, graduate outfielder Andrew Ortiz, and redshirt-junior pitcher Reagan Smith.
Rivera continued to be one of the most dynamic middle infielders in the region, batting .324 with 61 hits, 55 runs scored, 11 doubles, four triples, and 29 RBI while anchoring the Lions defensively at shortstop.
Ortiz delivered one of the most electric offensive seasons in the SAC, finishing with a .366 batting average, 68 hits, 11 home runs, 47 RBI, and a .613 slugging percentage. The graduate slugger consistently delivered in key moments and helped power Nelson's offense throughout the year.
On the mound, Reagan Smith earned First Team honors after emerging as one of the region's top arms. Smith posted a 10-2 record with a 2.67 ERA across 81 innings while striking out 73 batters and tossing four complete games.
Nelson also saw strong representation on the Second Team with junior catcher Joshua Pinter and freshman reliever Luke Edmonds earning all-region recognition.
Pinter was a force behind the plate and in the batter's box, batting .295 with 57 hits, 10 home runs, and 44 RBI while serving as one of the emotional leaders of the Lions lineup.
Edmonds made an immediate impact during his freshman campaign, compiling a 4.23 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 38.1 innings while recording three saves out of the bullpen.
The all-region honors add another chapter to a breakthrough season for Nelson Baseball, a year highlighted by a national tournament berth, a Top 25 ranking, and signature wins that helped elevate the program onto the national scene.
With five all-region selections and a foundation of returning talent, the Lions continue building momentum as one of the fastest-rising programs in the NCCAA and NAIA landscape.
Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
